Tennis players and their often unexpected hobbies

Tennis takes a lot out of players and involves a lot of time on the court. It is watching players
out on the court where many of us start to admire them but this leads us to an interest in
other aspects of their lives. Some tennis players have fascinating hobbies and interests that
provide a glimpse into their lives beyond the game and may show what sort of people they
are (or at least how they switch off when they’re not playing).

From fashion design to travel blogging, there are plenty of hobbies that you might not
immediately link to the stars of Wimbledon.

Rafa Nadal the Poker Fan

Nadal likes a game with strategy involved…maybe that’s not a surprise. The King of Clay
loves to shuffle cards and test his strategic skills in poker. Nadal’s interest in poker isn’t just
a casual thing and he has had some competitive matches.

Nadal is known to watch poker and be interested in the whole scene as well as just testing
his own skills. With retirement not too far away for the superstar Spaniard, perhaps he might
play more poker in the future.

It’s not just Nadal that is known to enjoy gambling games. A lot of sports stars are known to play poker and other casino games. Some Aussie players seem to like gambling as a way to switch off between playing. Lleyton Hewitt was known to play casino games while playing and plenty of current Aussie stars like Thanasi Kokkinakis. Gambling is popular in Australia with many people choosing to play online Pokies for real money, as they are commonly called in Australia. Slot games are what people may call them elsewhere, though many are actually inspired by poker and poker symbols. 

Serena Williams the Fashion Icon

Williams and her sister dominated the sport for a long time, but Serena is not just a powerhouse on the tennis court; she’s also a major force in the fashion world. Known for her bold and unique sense of style, Serena has successfully launched her own fashion line so it is not about merely wearing stylish clothes – she actually designs them.

Serena’s fashion line, which features everything from casual wear to high-end fashion, reflects her journey and celebrates diversity and body positivity, plus she’s got a makeup line to go with it. When she’s not serving aces or strutting down a runway, Serena is involved in lots of other businesses and has even married the founder of Reddit, another entrepreneur.

Novak Djokovic the Health and Wellness Guru

Novak Djokovic often discusses wellness and holistic living and uses his profile to boost these aspects – Djokovic is known for his strict diet, which is gluten-free and plant-based, and his dedication to yoga and meditation.

He found out he had a gluten intolerance, which was affecting his career, and this led him to overhaul his diet and lifestyle. Djokovic’s commitment to health doesn’t stop at his own well-being and he promotes the lifestyle among others, in a move that complements his relentless drive on the tennis court.

Not many sports stars have gone on to publish books that aren’t necessarily autobiographies, and though his book Serve to Win is definitely focused on his own experiences it offers a lot of practical tips and help for anyone wanting to cut gluten. Djok may still use his huge profile to promote these things once he hangs up the racket for a final time.

People are discussing whether he is truly the greatest, so his fitness will be put to the test in coming tournaments as he approaches the twilight of his career.

Andy Murray the Soccer Fan

Andy Murray, the gritty and determined Scotsman, has a well-documented love for soccer. Growing up in Scotland, Murray was an avid supporter of Hibernian FC and still gets to games sometimes, often going to Scottish national team matches.

Most Brits are into soccer, and he enjoys playing it too. Presumably, this is a way for him to unwind and enjoy some competitive fun outside the tennis court but also stay fit. Murray has thrown his support behind his beloved Scotland at times and rallied the troops, but they’ve been unable to summon his winning spirit.

Murray is a legend in Britain, ending an unbelievably long wait for a Major champion in the
men’s game and giving the whole of the UK (especially Scotland) something to cheer about.

Conclusion

Successful tennis players have to travel a lot and they also need to be training and playing at
pretty much every opportunity, but there is always some time for hobbies. Some of the best
of all time have even been able to take their hobbies and turn them into careers or business
ventures to keep them busy once the sporting career itself ends.